Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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71. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost to the Office of Public Works of flood prevention measures in east Meath to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45511/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW), along with the local authorities in Co Meath, Fingal and Dublin City carried out the River Tolka Flood Relief Scheme from 2003 to 2011. The works in the Meath area were completed between 2003 and 2007 at a cost of €6.8m.

The Mornington Flood Relief Scheme was completed in 2013 at a cost of €3.93m, and during 2015 the OPW carried out direct labour maintenance of this scheme along with areas of Northlands Estate at an approximate cost of €66,000.

The OPW also carries out an annual programme of maintenance on the river and drainage channels in Co, Meath for which under the Arterial Drainage Acts it has maintenance responsibility. However, it is not possible to provide a cost figure for this as a breakdown of the overall maintenance expenditure figure on a county basis is not available.

In addition to major schemes, the OPW provides funding to local authorities under the Minor Works Scheme and since the scheme commenced in 2009 the OPW has expended €0.3m under the programme for Co Meath.

On 11th February, 2014 the Government allocated specific funding for repair of coastal defence infrastructure that was damaged in the Winter 2013/14 storms, of which €75,000 was allocated to County Meath. Meath County Council submitted to the OPW a programme of proposed works in relation to its allocation that included projects in the Laytown - Bettystown area. All funds have now been disbursed to Meath County Council in relation to this scheme.